Ralfi's Idiot Guide to DCS-A10C Warthog: ILS (advanced)

[@GinKasai]

I'd like to throw in just a small tip for tracking the glideslope. If your horizontal needle indicates that you're way too low, don't climb up to meet the glideslope unless you're about to hit the ground. Level the plane out, and let the glideslope come down to you. In this way, you can avoid chasing the needle up, overshooting, and then having to dive to catch up with it, which could result in excessive airspeed on final.

[@GateCrasherVI]

I went ahead and gave up waiting on myself getting a HOTAS. Its good to know the keybindings anyway, and I'm glad I got a head start. Trust me, start early if poss, I've been playing for about a week now, every night I run through a few tutorials. I often spend 30 minutes starting the plane and then get strafed in my parking spot. lol . It takes a LOT of practice and memorization. Its the most rewarding FS I've ever played when you accomplish your goal, even small ones. It really is incredible.

[@antimonni]

Ralfi's done it again, great video :) I've had a lot experience in sims before and used to do advanced nav stuff in Jane's F-15 and F/A-18 back in the days but I still find these videos really educational and entertaining too.. I keep watching these on my phone while at work and then wish I had the TIME to do it in the sim. Almost wish I was unemployed, but then again I couldn't afford all the gear... Hope to meet you in the friendly skies some nice day :)

[@Corsair8X]

Thanks for this. Especially liked the multiple "problem" approaches with explanations of what you are seeing to indicate it's the wrong approach. Most people just show the correct approach which isn't helpful when you are having a problem.

[@CeeJTanK]

"the ball" isn't the speed indicator. "Call the ball" "I have the ball" is used in carrier landings in reference to the light in OLS that cues the pilot where he is on the glide slope. "I have the ball" means "I see the light"

[@crewdogg16]

Good video Ralfi! One of the last things you showed as common errors was approaching the airport to low. The glideslope has a limitation just like the localizer does; they only "pump" out signal so far. The glideslope actually has a false angle that one could track in on by mistake. This angle is much steeper. To avoid this, ILS approaches have the final approach fix (location on the approach path) that are set to a specific altitude, this allows the pilots to intercept the glideslope from underneath. So, until we reach that FAF (Final Approach Fix) the glideslope needle will indicate that the aircraft is below the glideslope. All the pilot must do is, continue to track the localizer with the CDI (Course Deviation Indicator)[yellow line] at a level attitude and wait until the Glideslope needle passes the center of the HSI or ADI and initiate a descent to maintain the proper glideslope.

[@TheBoredSupremacy]

Came across your channel and it's quite interesting. However, and my apologies if it's been answered somewhere, I'm wondering how you get such fluid movement/panning around the cockpit. Are you doing that with the mouse (jumping between clicking and view control) or do you have some other smooth input device? I was using the china hats on the joystick and throttle and it's very jumpy.

[@ralfidude]

formation flying is a beast that you must master on your own. Lots and lots of practice!

[@samivwow]

Nice vid ralfi again. Just a question ? Why did u lower flapses on two steps ? I mean why not directly at down , but first at mid

[@ChickentNug]

ILS doesn't beep for me. The bars work great, but for some reason I don't get the morse code. I've tried changing volume settings, turning it off and on, and restarting DCS. I just can't get it to work properly. I do exactly what tutorials show, it's weird

[@andykoski8211]

Do you have anything for DCS-A10C shutdown process? The advanced ILS landing video was great. I'm looking for instruction on proper shutdown procedures.

[@logiona]

Nice video, ralfidude. I was wondering about the function of the barometer pressure reading @ 4:14 (QFE 28.77); you mentioned changing the altimeter setting to 28.77 (which is pretty straightforward). I'm guessing this'll make sure that the altimeter is giving correct altitude readings near that particular airfield? How about the altitude meter on the right side of the HUD, is this to be trusted as well or should I only rely on the altimeter on the dash at (very) low altitudes?

[@neohelios77]

Thank you for the videos; the manual is nice, and all, but your demonstrations really help hammer stuff home. Question for you: I notice that you seem to have a great sense of awareness in all your videos. I assume you use TrackIR, or something comparable, and you seem to use zooming and panel shortcuts. Do you have any insight about your preferences (ie. any mapping views / zooming to your HOTAS)? I also have problems finding ground targets, Care to do a video about situational awareness?

[@slicker55]

Yep, got it now... testimony to a great tutor... thanks a lot - just need to practice, practice, practice now!

[@jigsaw3368]

Hey Ralfi! Can you quickly explain to me how does the QFE system work? Ive been trying approaches on Batumi, the QFE there is like 30 something and whenever I set it up 2 things happen, my AutoPilot gets all messed up, and both my HUD and my Altitude Indicator show a completely crazy altitude (At least for MSL, havent tried RdrAlt though). Is it your true altitude? By the way, great video, really helps! Thanks -Jigsaw

[@TheHardcore429]

+Jigsaw QFE the millibar subscale for pressure altitude at runway level. Since the autopilot is reading your pressure altitude, when you change the subscale the autopilot will attempt to chase the altitude previously set. Since the AP will not be able to reach the altitude without climbing or descending at more than 5 degrees it will disable. Answer: the altimeter is reading your current pressure alt (read barometric alt) at the given subscale. It is not your true altitude.

[@jigsaw3368]

Ah, thanks for the help

[@jeffr8282]

Excellent video! I can't wait to go home and put it to use. Thanks! I am curious about how stable your TrackIR is. I've found mine to be jumpy when trying to look closely at the side panels.

[@nickdawn3985]

Good video not only showing the correct approach but showing the mistakes.

[@neohelios77]

He is using infrared head tracking. It is like a webcam sitting on top of your monitor looking at a reflector clip attached to your head. the computer "sees" where your head is, and directly maps its location into the game. EXTREMELY useful for many simulation-type applications such as DCS A-10, Arma2, racing games, and many others. More than one implementation of this technology exists, but I wouldn't be surprised if TRACKIR is the most popular for purchase. Google can tell you more.

[@slicker55]

Subscribed: I've been having a few problems mastering ILS - This is a GREAT tutorial - now shooting upstairs to put it into practice - Be back soon!

[@sintheticrubbrs]

Can anyone tell me why my ILS numbers aren't showing up on the CDU? I followed this guide step by step and sometimes the ILS shows and sometimes it doesn't why is this?

[@ralfidude]

If the info page does not display the ILS information but you have others like tacan or at least the tower frequencies, then it's because that particular airfield does NOT have ILS. Some do, others have 2 ILS per runway, others have none.

[@sintheticrubbrs]

Nvm did some intense digging on the internet found out it was a bug with the patch I was on ._. all fixed! Also I was aware that some dont have ILS but I looked up the airfield I was landing at which indeed did have ILS. Anyways after 1 hour of trying I finally got my 1st sorta successful landing... broke the front landing gear so i couldn't steer to taxi off the runway oh well. xD Thanks for this AWESOME guide!

[@olivertv6175]

Thanks for the time and effort you put into these tutorials!

[@ecevansevans2566]

Hello, Question, I just purchased the warthog hotas. You say that DCS already has a setup for this hotas. Where can I get a copy. I only been setting the basic on my old saitek x52. I wonder if you can make a noob video on must have setting for fix wings fighter aircraft or recommend someone on you tube who good at DCS hotas setting. Thanks, I want to get serious and do this right.

[@Cygnus_B]

Ralfi, is there a way on how the f do you spot enemy aircraft? I don't have a big res (1024x1280) so I thought maybe that's my problem. I tried to hunt some helicopters with my A10C in a mission but I couldn't find them until they were already firing at me with their cannons o.O I don't have trackir yet, I suppose that's the other half of my problem?

[@GuyverGamingTV]

love your video's have a quick question. what are your trackir and view settings in game as you seem to have very smooth cam movement and precise.

[@mosquito9085]

Guys, what is the best distance and altitude to intercept the glideslope ?

[@UnderbellyNZ]

Brilliant teaching technique showing mistakes. Thanks for your efforts!

[@ralfidude]

By the way, the MOST COMMON ILS ERROR MADE BY MOST OF YOU IS THE ONE I MENTION AT 16:36. PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THAT PART.

[@ralfidude]

It's whatever is better for you and what your altittude is. If i had lowered it to full immediately my TVV would have jumped way up and screwed up everything. You have to do it in steps. But I did land on half anyway.

[@unQuishable]

hey ralfi, i was about to buy FC3 for DCS:World when i saw that you need a previous version of LOMAC in Order to do so, can you give any advice on how to get that "bundle" in the eu?

[@CodGeronimo]

Nice tutorial, what's the keyboard button for airbrakes?

[@TheBoredSupremacy]

After watching most of his other videos I quickly learned that. For those of us who are broke FreeTrack is pretty decent if you have the know-how and skill to make a contraption. I appreciate your politeness though. Between the completeness and directing followups to Google I give it an A+.

[@RCFlyBoy314]

Loved the video. I fly FSX and the F-18 mostly. REALLY want to get into DCS now!! Did have one comment. The ball on the left HUD frame should be referencing approach AOA vs approach speed

[@ralfidude]

It is called the angle of attack indexer but it shows the speed approach for the A-10.

[@RCFlyBoy314]

Oh, wow! I apologize, I didn't realize it did.

[@CHECK6-963]

RCFlyBoy314 It is an AOA indexer, you called it, correctly.

[@Android811]

RCFlyBoy314 You're right, It is only showing you AoA. They use alpha to land instead of a set airspeed because landing speed depends on the weight of the aircraft. Try landing with a full load of bombs and full tanks, and you'll see you need to fly much faster to get on the "ball". P.S. pilot slang for the alpha indexer is the doughnut, (donut in american). "The ball" is navy pilot slang for the meatball, which is like the PAPI lights for an aircraft carrier.

[@RCFlyBoy314]

Oh man, even a full load of fuel will make it challenging. Didn't remember it was called a doughnut, thanks!

[@extansegura]

Ralfi, what up with the wingman bots that as soon as they hit the runway they are able to make an almost full stop in just a few feets?

[@flyfight98]

How do you "go" around in the cockpit like you do at 5:54, i always tried to turn my head IRL to see whats written there xD Ah I love being a complete noob in dcs xD

[@lewis424]

TrackIR, expensive but worth it.

[@psychomantis10122]

Superb video mate - thank you. You should keep it up as they're HEAPS better than the rest.

[@bleyland629]

Hey can anyone tell me what the correct fuel is suppose to be for landings ?

[@ralfidude]

there is no correct fuel for landings... You adjust landing speed for heavier landings. Normally planes have a fuel dump system for this, but the A10 does not.

[@bleyland629]

Thanks ralfi I thought i better ask the question even though I had a strong suspicion in my mind lol

[@WhiskeyDale]

excellent series of info .

[@Ecthaelyon]

Superb, superb video! Thank you Ralfi.

[@CodGeronimo]

Hey ralfi what's your ingame settings? Thanks.

[@ElitesEngineering]

I never use ILS to land, seems too complicated. I just use the func 2 so I can see the runway on my HUD but that is it.

[@Antonluisre]

I fly the 172 and now I'm getting in the A-10 in DCS which is a bit out of league for the the old Skyhawk.

[@Treadstone7]

what you did is also called flying back-course. In case you can't see anything and need to land on a runway where only on side has ILS, you would need to fly away from the needle if it moves sideways.

[@UnstoppableDave266]

Thanks for the video, I needed a refresher on ILS coming from FSX. However you demonstrate the approaches backwards at 2:50. You say it right later but you might want to put an annotation there just to be safe. Great video overall though, going to go try it out.

[@BigDuke6ixx]

Good video. But worth mentioning that people might want to read up on the 'precision approach path indicator' lights, the red and white lights to the left of the active runway you were using.

[@Zatracenec]

Great video. Is it possible to know Your PC specs? Thank You.

[@AproposAndy]

I really want to play DCS, but I feel as if I'd get frustrated with trying to learn all this. I understand basic flight mechanics of course, but I really don't want to buy a stick and all just to find out I can't handle it.

[@spacedigger]

Dude seriously, your a genius haha. I had ni idea wtf i was suposed to do with those knobs

[@bryanbishop2377]

In real life, ATC, radar vectors your aircraft to a position outside of the FAF (Final Approach Fix, about 6 mile final) and heading no more than 30 degrees from on course. Usually, they vector the aircraft about 12-15 miles from the airfield, on a 30 degree or less heading. You're supposed to fly the ILS till you get the field insight, or reach the Missed Approach Point (MAP). If you get to the MAP and don't see anything, you execute the missed approach procedure specified in the approach plate...all instrument approaches have plates with all you need to fly it...ATC vectors and clearances are integral to joining an instrument approach...

[@ralfidude]

And that's all cute. This isn't real life and you can't expect people to execute any of that in a combat zone. But thanks for spending the time to write that up.

[@rjet43]

so i actually worked on the a-10 for 4 years and you either flew it or you have way more time on your hands! lol

[@tomatube]

Awesome tutorial and explanations there. You should more tut vids. Thanks for sharing.

[@TangodownNZ]

Did you just jettison your weapons over a built up area

[@ralfidude]

Yes, why do you ask?

[@ralfidude]

yep

[@nuttex]

Name of the game is literally in the video title.

[@RefleX525]

The shortcut is LAlt Numpad+

[@737admirer]

thanks so much with this tutorial, all my issues were anwsered!

[@Risk0s]

No problem, but you should REALLY get a throttle and stick and a head-movement-infrared-tracking-thingy (freetrack, microsoft lifecam VX-1000 and a trackclip pro).

[@oznerol256]

Hey! That was my idea! No seriously, this is exactly my setup since a few months.

[@ralfidude]

You laugh now but I have had students that figuratively flipped out when they heard a strange noise in their cockpit they never heard before, and proceeded to immediately place their left hand and fingers on the "Control" and "E" configuration of the keyboard. Need to hold their hand through Goddamn everything...

[@chucky35uk]

great video ralfi.....im away to practise my ils landings

[@bikeparkdave7560]

Again. Not a speed ball. It's an angle of attack indicator.

[@Risk0s]

what i'm trying to say... just buy like a "t.flight hotas x" and build your one LED setup ;) TrackIR + TM Warthog = ~500€, T.Flight Hotas X + self-built-headtracking-head-movement-infrared-tracking-thingy = ~40€ ;)

[@Risk0s]

my led-setup broke, so i bought a trackclip pro. greetings from germany. cheers.

[@TheCipher29]

Wow, I knew everything except for the marker beacons, I guess I'm not as big an idiot as I thought

[@Huddison]

Excellent, thanks for the vid. We'll all be experts soon -)

[@comandosespeciales]

Hey Ralfi, I'm not an idiot, I'm just learning

[@Flyisadream]

Love your videos buddy, i always have a great time watching em. Please keep going and never stop, cheers from the froggies omelettes ;)

[@Arkaine_]

most awesome.

[@Leon_Portier]

Very helpful

[@CodGeronimo]

Thanks.

[@MrLembnau]

i dont understand anything but still like it.

[@InternetzSpaceshipz]

MAKRER BEACON WARNING? EJECT! EJECT!

[@jdizzle-hx2xq]

Nice video well done..

[@ralfidude]

they cant handle advanced flight physics, so they fly on simple flight physics, hence why they can do things you cannot.

[@LastAmerican6]

One for the home one for the car.

[@arturojgt-HVM]

I'm thinking that you must quit you job and turn to the fly instructor career.

[@Dcs-Brasil]

THE BEST!

[@Risk0s]

Ctrl + B and Shift + B

[@12s89]

Why do i need 2 bibles?

[@timtomnec]

Thank you!!!!!!!!

[@SvenCheddar]

U just gonna jettison over that city bruh? Your commander would like to see you in his office.

[@gryper1690]

Reminds of Jim Carey's broken nose in "Me Myself and Irene" lmao. Just kidding man. Thanks for the vid.

[@RogerPrintz]

I know this is an old Video, but, this is not a good video for ILS instruction. The presenter does not understand the different components of an ILS and if he wasn't able to fly VFR if he was in actual IMC, he would die. It doesn't matter what aircraft you fly, ILS is performed the same way, using the same procedure each time. I don't believe that DCS presents Procedure plates with the ILS but you could build your own. The ILS procedure plates tells the pilot where to be at what alt. direction of flight and airspeed and steps you down and places you at the outer marker to intercept the glideslope and flow the glideslope to touch down, without ever seeing the ground. I'm a 40 year flight instructor. This instruction video is not worth your time.

[@Dcs-Brasil]

Good!

[@tomcat8492]

At 14:10 did you say "prepare your anus"? I'm not making a joke out of this. I actually can't figure out if you said that or not?

[@arturojgt-HVM]

Hahahaha, yes, he said that.

[@heflytho]

transporter... hahaha, I love it. Nice video man

[@PacalB]

Nice training Good vid ... ahh.. I wish I had a Oculus Rift to go with this beautiful sim. One day ... one day. :)

[@FlyingWing92]

Wow, amazing graphics. I know this cant be mfs.. Is this a simulator of some sort?

[@CodGeronimo]

I would, but i don't have a lot of money.

[@ralfidude]

We should start a business together. Buy one bible and bannana bundle and get second bible free!

[@ralfidude]

sell Bibles

[@siddharthnandi8567]

just focus on the runway instead when approaching instead of just getting yourself confused with the systems and you'll get a great landing

[@ralfidude]

Aaaand that's not the point of this video is it

[@siddharthnandi8567]

ralfidude was just telling others who were getting confused over ils :P great video tho

[@AproposAndy]

I really want to play DCS, but I feel as if I'd get frustrated with trying to learn all this. I understand basic flight mechanics of course, but I really don't want to buy a stick and all just to find out I can't handle it.